Which RA mini connector do you use?

[PITTM]

i bought the neutrik right angle connectors (NTP3RC) with the plastic insert thing and i would have to say that i hate these, they are difficult to assemble, their holes seem too small and the plastic insert piece really doesnt get the job done. any reccomendations for other ra mini connectors?

rj

 

[drewd]

Yes, the Switchcraft connector is very nice. It's much larger, though. Look here for links to vendors.

-Drew

 

[zip22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PITTM i bought the neutrik right angle connectors (NTP3RC) with the plastic insert thing and i would have to say that i hate these, they are difficult to assemble, their holes seem too small and the plastic insert piece really doesnt get the job done.

same here. i bought them cause they looked a lot smaller, and i didnt care for huge looking switchcraft plugs. my complaints about the NTP3RC:

-the color and texture of the 2 metal halves that come together at the angle part doesnt match up exactly
-the fit is horrible, there are uneven gaps between the 2 metal halves and the jack piece.
-i much prefer the physical metal clamp designs of other plugs to the plastic clamp that this jack uses

i think i might take some pics later tonight if anyone is interested is seeing these crappy jacks up close. and to think, these cost me something like $4 a piece.

 

[drewd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip22 same here. i bought them cause they looked a lot smaller, and i didnt care for huge looking switchcraft plugs. my complaints about the NTP3RC: -the color and texture of the 2 metal halves that come together at the angle part doesnt match up exactly -the fit is horrible, there are uneven gaps between the 2 metal halves and the jack piece. -i much prefer the physical metal clamp designs of other plugs to the plastic clamp that this jack uses i think i might take some pics later tonight if anyone is interested is seeing these crappy jacks up close. and to think, these cost me something like $4 a piece.

The trick with these jacks is to use small gauge wire. The chuck system works well and the two halves will line up as long as you're not using wire that's too big. Usually if the two halves aren't coming together and the chuck is hard to screw down, the wire that you're using is too big.

It would definitely be nice if there was something in between the Neutrik and Switchcraft connectors.

Here's an example of what you should end up with if the wire is the right size.

-Drew

 

[RnB180]

im interested in seeing the pics,

what is the largest diameter these conncectors can hold? i need to find something smaller and cheaper then the huge expensive switchcraft connectors.

 

[skyskraper]

i really hate how manufacturers never have any data or anything like that on their websites about their products.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewd Yes, the Switchcraft connector is very nice. It's much larger, though. Look here for links to vendors. -Drew

I second that. I really like the switchcraft RAs.

 

[zip22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 im interested in seeing the pics,

more of the completed cable gallery:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0546.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0544.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0543.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0541.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0539.jpg

from the pictures, you can't really tell how the texture and color of the 2 side halves is slightly off, but i notice it (edit: actually i doubted my camera would pick it up, but if you look at the pic in the thread and the first pic in the list, you can tell that the piece on the left in both pics has more of a red/bronze tone to it while the right hand piece is just a straight silver). with the mismatched color on top of the poor fit, these connectors are being filed under "stupid purchase" for me. i paid $0.66 for some neutrik straight mini plugs, and i couldn't be happier with them. these ones really dissapointed me. maybe if i hadn't paid a premium for them ($3.95... EACH) i wouldnt be as picky, but in my experience, these connectors blow.


assembly of the jack gallery:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0548.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0552.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0553.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...k/DSCF0554.jpg

the camera didnt care for the white plastic insert piece alone, but i think its pretty obvious what it is and does. the 2 halves at the bottom are only connected on 1 side by a thin plastic tab. when you screw the lower barrel on, they get clamped together. they say for thicker cable, you're supposed to remove 1 side of the clamp, but i fail to see how this would be effective at all.

 

[zip22]

i emailed neutrik. maybe they'll have something to say about it. (and maybe i'll get a new set of jacks thats not crappy

)

 

[ajt976]

I'm going to give another vote for the Switchcraft RA's. They are rather big, but man these things are really solid and well built. Give 'em a try! I really like them

.

 

[Daroid]

Looks like the NTP3RC-B might be a better choice then if you're worried about color mismatches.

 

[RnB180]

well from the looks of the pics, it doesnt leave room for wire, youd have to use very small gauge wire for the chuck to fit.

 

[skyskraper]

like max 24 awg like it states on the neutrik site that i linked to maybe?

 

[RnB180]

yes

egad, 24 awg doesnt leave room for much.